The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-28
The ATLANTA WORTHLESS
THE BOARD OF INSPECTION
MAKES ITS REPORT.
As q Vessel OF War, as the Arma-
ment is Now Arranged, She Is
Absolutely Useless.

Nav York, July ga Newport
special to the Herald Gays: "The
board appointed by Secretary Whit.
ney on Friday last to inspect the At
lana and take command OF her until
bis orders have been fully carried out,
met on board the vessel Monday. The
board was busy that day and the next
examining the armament OF the At.
lanta. The result will be communi.
Gated In few days, when the board
completes its labor, not as II was ont.
lined In the order Of Secretary Whit.
ney naming the members Of
the board and the duties they were
expec ed to perform, but the result
OF the inspection OF the chip and her
armament as reverted to the board
during the short time II has walked
the decks Of the Atlanta. Ths result
OF the labors OF the board summarized
are as follows: The ship is at present
practically useless. Her structure APP
pears to be firm and free from weak.
ness, bat her armament is hors Dis
combat. Ths injury OF the eight
inch gun carriages Ia such that
they cannot again DO used until
completely repsired. The dam
age TO the clip circle and
clips is such that II repaired the board
would not be warranted In firing the
guns, q REPETITION OF the injury TO
them being inevitable. The board
does not think that this portion OF
the fittings OF the vessel was ever in
tended to retard the recoil OF guns,
and the damage done Is In excute OF
what Is reasonable. The deck Of the
vessel is found TO be intact. The un.
certain behavior OF the eight inch
guns makes II inexpedient TO again
subject the vessel to firing tests. II
IL manifest, from the location OF the
six.inch guns, that II the eight inch
guns were In perfect order the six.
inch guns would be idle, as II would
be impossible 10 work both guns al
the ssme time. The smaller second.
AIRY battery is also uteless while either
the ak or eight inch guns are being
fred. The result Is that the Atlantis
as vessel Of war, as the armamen,
10 now arranged, is absolutely worth
less. The discharge Of the heavy
powder gans Ia likely to be fol-
lowed by injury to the vessel. The
three batteries, which ought to be
80 arranged as 10 be fred II necessary
simultaneously are imperative for q
single fire. The board will further 70.
port that until the repairs are made
which the present condition OF the
ship really demands, II is out OF the
question to think OF making any thor
ough tests Of any part Of her battery,
What 10 true OF the Atlanta 10 also
true OF the Boston, and probably the
Chicago. Capt. Bunce, commanding
the Atlantis, prudently teetsd the OF.
fec. Of the discharge Of the eight inch
Ruos before exposing the men. The
first sheep put near the gun was blown
nobody knows where. The second
sheep was tied around the body with
small rope and sack enough given
10 allow freedom OF movement. The
animal was tossed high into the eir
and drawn back by the rope q dead
creature. Other objects we're placed
near the six inch guns and In every
Instance the warming was 10 keep
away from the guns when discharged.
The board will probably iinish It's Ia.
bors and adjourn this week, II being
out Of the range Of probability thai
the tests laid down by Secretary Whit
ney will ever be executed.